The SSC CHSL 2026 notification is finally out, and it’s great news for anyone who has passed Class 12 and is on the hunt for a government job. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for the Combined Higher Secondary Level (10+2) Examination 2026, commonly known as CHSL 2026. This recruitment drive is for the posts of Lower Divisional Clerk/Junior Secretariat Assistant (LDC/JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO), to be filled across various ministries, departments, and offices of the Government of India.
If you’re planning to sit for this exam, this article is for you. Here we break down everything important from the official notification—dates, eligibility, age limit, fees, exam pattern, and the selection process—in plain, simple language so you don’t have to hunt around elsewhere.
SSC CHSL 2026 Important Dates:
SSC uploaded this notice on its website on September 7, 2026. Here are all the key dates related to the application process:
- Online application start date: 07-09-2026
- Last date and time for receipt of online applications: 07-10-2026 (23:00 Hours)
- Last date and time for online fee payment: 08-10-2026 (23:00 hours)
- Window for Application Form Correction and payment of correction charges: 14-10-2026 to 16-10-2026 (23:00 hours)
- Schedule for Tier-I and Tier-II exams: To be notified later
- Toll-free helpline for any difficulty filling the form: 18003093063
The advice is simple—don’t wait until the last day, since heavy website traffic near the deadline can cause login or submission issues, and the Commission won’t be responsible for that.
SSC CHSL 2026 Posts and Total Vacancies
This exam will fill three types of posts:
- Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)—Pay Level-2 (Rs. 19,900–63,200)
- Data Entry Operator (DEO)—Pay Level-4 (Rs. 25,500–81,100) and Pay Level-5 (Rs. 29,200–92,300)
- Data Entry Operator, Grade ”A’—Pay Level-4 (Rs. 25,500–81,100)
As of now, there are approximately 2536 tentative vacancies. Keep in mind this number is not final—the final vacancy count will be determined after scrutiny of documents provided by the user departments, and updated post-wise and category-wise vacancy details will be released later on the Commission’s website. SSC does not maintain state-wise or zone-wise vacancy data; for that, candidates need to contact the concerned user departments directly.
SSC CHSL 2026 Eligibility:
Educational Qualification (as on 07-10-2026):
- For LDC/JSA and most DEO posts: Class 12 pass (or equivalent) from a recognized board or university.
- For DEO posts in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, SSC, and Ministry of Culture: A Class 12 pass in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject is mandatory.
- Candidates awaiting their Class 12 result can also apply, but the result must be declared on or before the cut-off date, i.e., 07-10-2026. Simply having the result “under process” by the Board/University is not sufficient—it must be officially declared.
Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or certain East African countries with the intention of settling permanently in India (an eligibility certificate is required in such cases).
Age Limit (as on 01-08-2026): 18 to 27 years, i.e., candidates born not before 02-08-1999 and not later than 01-08-2008 are eligible.
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years after deducting military service |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees (3 years’ regular service) | Up to 40 years |
| Central Govt. Civilian Employees (SC/ST) | Up to 45 years |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (not remarried) | Up to 35 years |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (SC/ST) | Up to 40 years |
Special note: Only male candidates are eligible for any vacancies reported in the Border Roads Organization (BRO).
Application Fee
- General fee: Rs. 100 (Rupees one hundred only)
- Women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, and eligible Ex-Servicemen (ESM) categories are fully exempted from the fee.
- Fee can be paid online via BHIM UPI, Net Banking, or Visa/MasterCard/Master/Maestro/RuPay debit cards, up to 08-10-2026.
- Once paid, the fee is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against any other exam or selection.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted only in online mode, either through the new SSC website ssc.gov.in or through the “my SSC” mobile app (available on Google Play Store). Candidates who haven’t already generated a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the new website will need to create one—the OTR from the old website (ssc.nic.in) will not work here. Once created on the new website, the OTR remains valid for all future exams applied for through it.
Candidates are advised to opt for Aadhaar-based authentication while completing their OTR, as this helps avoid rejection issues related to photograph or signature standards. The photograph must be captured live via camera at the time of filling the form—using a pre-existing photo can lead to rejection. The signature must be uploaded in JPEG/JPG format (10–20 KB), with dimensions of about 6 cm (width) x 2 cm (height).
Important Links:
Apply Online: Click here.
Official notification: Click here
Exam Pattern: Tier-I and Tier-II
The exam will be conducted as a computer-based test (CBT) in two tiers.
Tier-I
| Part | Subject | Questions/Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25/50 |
| II | General Intelligence | 25/50 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25/50 |
| IV | General Awareness | 25/50 |
Total duration: 60 minutes (with a sectional timer of 15 minutes per subject). Candidates eligible for a scribe get 80 minutes. Questions will be objective type and available in English, Hindi, and any other language opted for by the candidate (for Parts II, III & IV). There will be a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer.
Tier-II
Tier-II will be conducted in two sessions on the same day:
Session I (total 2 hours 15 minutes):
- Section I: Mathematical Abilities (30 questions) + Reasoning & General Intelligence (30 questions)—60 questions total, 180 marks, 1 hour
- Section II: English Language & Comprehension (40 questions) + General Awareness (20 questions)—60 questions total, 180 marks, 1 hour
- Section III: Computer Knowledge Test—15 questions, 45 marks, 15 minutes (qualifying in nature)
Session II:
- Section IV: Skill Test / Typing Test
Each section has its own sectional timer, meaning it will close automatically once the time is up. There will be a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section I, Section II, and Section III. Qualifying all sections of Tier-II is mandatory.
Skill Test / Typing Test: Key Details
- DEO posts (Consumer Affairs, Food & PD Ministry, SSC, Ministry of Culture): Speed of 15,000 key depressions per hour required; test duration is 15 minutes.
- Other DEO posts: Speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour required; test duration is 15 minutes.
- LDC/JSA Typing Test: 35 words per minute in English (approx. 10,500 key depressions/hour) or 30 words per minute in Hindi (approx. 9,000 key depressions/hour); test duration is 10 minutes. Candidates opting for Hindi must type using Mangal Font only.
The skill test is compulsory for DEO candidates—no one is exempted. However, certain PwD candidates with specific medical conditions may be exempted from the Typing Test, provided they submit a certificate from a government civil surgeon.
How Selection Works
All candidates who qualify for Tier-I will be called for Tier-II. The final merit list will be prepared based on the combined marks scored in Section-I and Section-II of Tier-II only, provided the candidate also qualifies for Section-III (Computer Knowledge Test) and Section-IV (Skill/Typing Test). If the exam is held in multiple shifts, scores will be normalized to ensure fairness across shifts.
In case of a tie, merit will be resolved first by marks in Section-I of Tier-II and then by marks in Tier-I.
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Answer Key and Challenge System
After the exam, a tentative answer key will be published on the website. If a candidate wants to raise an objection against any answer, they can submit an online representation—but this comes with a fee of Rs. 50 per question, which is non-refundable. Objections sent via letter, email, or any other mode will not be entertained.
Important Documents and Precautions
- Before submitting the online application, always check all details carefully using the Preview/Print option.
- Keep your application form and exam-related documents safe for at least 3 years.
- If any information is found incorrect during document verification, the candidature can be rejected.
- There is no provision for rechecking or re-evaluation at any stage of the exam.
Final Word
SSC CHSL 2026 is a great opportunity for the lakhs of candidates who have completed Class 12 and are looking for a stable government job. With approximately 2536 vacancies, a fee of just Rs. 100 (free for several categories), and a clear two-tier exam structure, it’s a solid option worth pursuing. Just remember—the last date to apply is October 7, 2026, so don’t delay filling the form, and keep all your documents ready in advance.
(This information is based on the official SSC notification released on 07-09-2026. Keep checking ssc.gov.in for updates such as the exam schedule.)